How to Fix Plaster Wall Cracks

Do you have a crack in the plaster around a door frame? Maybe you've noticed some seams have started to appear around an archway that you have in your home. Although high levels of moisture can cause these to occur, they generally happen because the house is shifting and settling, which is a natural process most homes go through. The process of fixing the crack is pretty simple as well and can be completed by the average person in less than 30 minutes.

Step #1: Put Drywall Tape Over the Crack

The tape that you would use to protect your drywall from having nails or screws come out of it over time is the same tape that you'll use to cover your plaster crack. Make sure that you completely cover the crack with the tape. This applies only if you can cover the entire crack with just one line of tape.

Some drywall cracks are extensive, large, or deep. In these instances, you will need to put a solid patch over the crack to let your wall still have the integrity it needs for future stability. The best patches are made from stainless steel and you will need to affix this patch over the crack with drywall tape.

Step #2: Use Putty Compound

Now that you've got the crack covered with tape or a metal patch, it is time to cover it up. Use a standard putty compound to cover the tape and the crack. Joint compound can be purchased at most stores or online and it spreads with a putty knife rather easily. You can also purchase spray compound that you can apply directly to the repair site, although this is often more expensive than the traditional patching method.

Step #3: Let It Dry

You'll need to allow plenty of time for the compound that you've applied to the tape to dry. Do not apply another coat of compound until the initial coat has dried if another layer is needed. This generally takes about 4 hours, but thicker applications may require 24 hours.

Step #4: Sand It Down

Once the joint compound as dried, you'll need to get a drywall sander and remove the rough edges of the patch you've applied. Don't sand down too far because this will cause the tape to become exposed and you'll have to start over at Step #2 once again. Make sure you wear a mask for this job as well.

Step #5: Add Texture

If your wall is textured, you can use a spray texture to complete the foundation of your repair to create an even look. This texture compound will also need about 4 hours to dry, or up to 24 hours for extensive applications.

Step #6: Paint

The final step lets you paint the dried application site so that it matches the other areas of the wall. Once the paint dries, it should be virtually unnoticeable that you ever had a plaster crack.

Posted on Aug 03, 2014

Related

Many times, there are issues between a landlord and a tenant that need to be resolved but are failed to do so, because both parties have gone too far with their actions, and have retaliated in the... More

Where there is a landlord, there will also be a tenant, and it is no surprise that these two parties can only work together once there is some sort of agreement, contract or a binding deal in place.... More

Many landlords find it difficult to write and draft a lease agreement. Since every State has its own general template, it can also be difficult to make sure your lease agreement meets all the criteria... More

If you’re a landlord and want to manage your business in a better way, you should endeavor to get in touch with those industry experts who have the experience and the skills to help you do it. This is... More

When you talk about the most common disputes arising between landlords and tenants, nonpayment of rent has to be there in the list. People rent their properties to earn money, and when a tenant... More

If you have ever rented a living space and have had to move many times, you’d already know how difficult it is to find decent, affordable and secure living premises. A person has to deal with the same... More

Landlords across the state have the prime responsibility to make sure they inspect and up keep their property once they have rented it to the tenants. Inspections can occur monthly or yearly depending... More

Everyone knows that a landlord’s job is not easy. These folks have specific duties and responsibilities that they must perform in order to be fair. Being a landlord is not a position but it is, in... More

Asking for a security deposit is quite common in property dealings. The reason to ask for a security deposit is to have something that would help a property owner recover some of their financial... More

Bad tenants are the worst-case scenario for any landlord; no one wants them, and if someone has them, they want them out in any way possible. There are times when landlords try as much as they can to... More